Columbus homicide numbers down in 2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The City of Columbus’ homicide numbers are at a seven year low year to date. According to police data, there have been 15 homicides in the city so far this year -- that's less than half of the city’s numbers at this time last year. “I think it's amazing. And we [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The City of Columbus’ homicide numbers are at a seven year low year to date.

According to police data, there have been 15 homicides in the city so far this year -- that's less than half of the city’s numbers at this time last year. 

“I think it's amazing. And we need to keep up what we're doing,” said Brenda Johnson with Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children. “I think it's the whole collaboration with everybody in the police department, different community organizations. We all just came together and decided to launch this initiative together.”

Johnson's son, James, was killed in 2020.

The mothers launched an initiative called “Operation Under Triple Digits” at the beginning of the year. If successful, this would be the first year homicide numbers are under 100 since before 2017.

“I don't know what's working and what's not, but as long as we keep pushing forward, hopefully it can stay down,” Johnson said.

Johnson said they are following data. They are looking at the race and ages of the victims and suspects. They are also looking at the hot spots for crime. Johnson said she is seeing changes.

“Linden has had two homicides this year and Hilltop has had zero means a lot to me because we focused a lot on Hilltop and Linden,” Johnson said. “So now we need to hit the east side and the south side where the numbers are raised and now.”

She said a big part of the operation is showing up to those “hot spots.” Johnson said a lot of it is about perception.

“We support each other. And the positivity goes a long way, I think," Johnson said.

NBC4 reached out to Mayor Andrew Ginther to get a comment about the decrease. He sent a statement which reads, “Even one homicide is too many. We will continue to address safety through enforcement, prevention and intervention to make Columbus the safest big city in America.”

Johnson said the mothers will be taking operations Under Triple Digits to the Hilltop on Saturday. They plan to keep spreading the word and positivity to hopefully get through to more people.